Mike Bercovici

Michael Bercovici (born February 9, 1993) is an American football quarterback for the San Diego Fleet of the Alliance of American Football (AAF). He played college football at Arizona State. He signed with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent after the 2016 NFL Draft. Bercovici was born in Northridge, California. He attended Taft High School in Los Angeles. As a senior, he was 240-of-399 passes (60.2%) for 3,755 yards with 37 touchdowns and only nine interceptions in 2010, he also recorded 103 with three touchdowns.

He was rated by PrepStar as the 91st overall prospect in the nation, and the seventh overall quarterback in the nation. He was also ranked the 14th overall pro-style quarterback in the nation by Rivals.com. He was offered an athletic scholarship to Arizona State University in June 2010, he accepted the scholarship a week later.[1]

College career

As a true freshman in 2011, Bercovici appeared in three games. He completed 2-of-3 passes for 15 yards. In 2012, he redshirt the season. As a redshirt sophomore in 2013, he appeared in four games as holder on special teams. He completed 3-of-4 (75%) for 18 yards and a quarterback rating of 112.8. He also rushed the ball 10 times for 46 yards. As a redshirt junior in 2014, he appeared in eight games (three starts). He replaced starterTaylor Kelly after Kelly was injured. Becovici complete 115-of-186 (61.8%) for 1,445 yards and 12 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also rushed the ball 26 times for 16 yards. As a redshirt senior in 2015, he was named the starting quarterback. He was a unanimousteam captain and member of the team's leadership council. He started all 13 games. He completed 318-of-531 (59-.9%) for 3,854 yards, 30 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also rushed the ball 109 times for 84 yards. His 30 touchdowns tied the Arizona State school record for most touchdown passes in a single season. His 531 passing attempts set the record for most passing attempts in a single season in school history.[1][2]

On October 4, 2014 Bercovici threw a 46-yard Hail Mary with time expiring to beat USC in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 38–34. Bercovici ended the game with a record-setting performance, throwing for 510 yards and 5 touchdowns – the most ever thrown by a USC opponent.[3]

San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers

After going undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft, Bercovici was signed by the San Diego Chargers.[5] On September 3, 2016, he was released by the Chargers during the final roster cuts.[6] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Chargers on January 10, 2017.[7] He was waived on September 2, 2017.[8]

Arizona Cardinals

On October 24, 2017, Bercovici was signed to the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad.[9] On November 30, 2017, he was released by the Cardinals.[10]

Bercovici began the 2019 AAF season as the Fleet's starting quarterback.[13] In the opener against the San Antonio Commanders, he was hit by Shaan Washington in an impact that knocked his helmet off, but continued to play. Bercovici struggled in the 15–6 loss as he was sacked six times and threw two interceptions before being replaced by Philip Nelson.[14] Nelson was eventually announced as the starter for the following week's game against the Atlanta Legends.[15]